Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Fifty-two-year-old Toby Cadotte of Ontario was arrested at a residence in New Harbour by Whitbourne RCMP on July 29, 2024.
Shortly before 7:00 p.m. on Monday, police received a report of a gun shot that was fired in the back yard of a residence on Newhook’s Hill in New Harbour. Officers were approached by the home owner who disclosed that Cadotte was staying in a vehicle in the back yard of the property.
Officers attended the property and located nineteen dogs, including a number of puppies, that were deceased and two dogs that required care. The animals requiring care were transported to SPCA Baccalieu Trail in Spaniard’s Bay.
Cadotte was arrested for animal cruelty and careless use of a firearm. A firearm was seized from the property. He attended court on July 30, 2024, and is charged with nineteen counts of animal cruelty and one count of carless use of a firearm.
He was released from custody and is set to appear in court at a later date.
The Chief Veterinary Officer with the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture’s Animal Health Division is engaged and the investigation is continuing.
Animal cruelty is a criminal offence. If you suspect animals are not being properly cared for, please contact your local police and make a report.